The Major League Soccer offseason kicks up a dust storm of transfer rumors, one that’s especially dense this time of year. Most of this so-called links never come to anything — see the newly retired Juan Roman Riquelme (long live the king) to Montreal.

But every once in a while, the noise turns into something substantial.

Such was the case with the Shaun-Maloney-to-Chicago rumors that had been floating out there for a while — and that finally came to fruition on Sunday, as the Scottish international inked a designated player contract with the Fire.

Maloney, 32, had been at Wigan Athletic in both the Premier League and Championship over the past three-plus seasons. Across all competitions, Maloney appeared in 91 matches, scoring 15 goals and adding 17 assists for the Latics. He also played a central role in Wigan’s 2013 F.A. Cup title, providing the assist on the 91st-minute winner that stunned Manchester City.

Maloney has also played for Celtic and Aston Villa and earned 36 caps with the Scottish national team.

– Toronto FC signs Polish defender Damien Perquis

TFC’s busy offseason shows no sign of abating.

Having already brought attackers Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco into the fold, Toronto looked to the other end of the field, announcing Monday morning the signing of Damien Perquis — a center back who’d played most recently with Real Betis.

Born and raised in France, Perquis represents Poland internationally and played all 270 minutes of the host country’s campaign at Euro 2012.